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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE
THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NEW YORK STATE BANKING DEPARTMENT
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

Written Agreement by and among
BANCO INDUSTRIAL DE VENEZUELA, C.A.
Caracas, Venezuela

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BANCO INDUSTRIAL DE VENEZUELA, C.A.
NEW YORK AGENCY
New York, New York

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BANCO INDUSTRIAL DE VENEZUELA, C.A.
MIAMI AGENCY
Miami, Florida

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FEDERAL RESERVE BANK
OF ATLANTA
Atlanta, Georgia

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FEDERAL RESERVE BANK
OF NEW YORK
New York, New York

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NEW YORK STATE BANKING DEPARTMENT )
New York, New York

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and
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION
Tallahassee, Florida

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Docket Nos. 05-012-WAiRB-FB
05-012-WNlW-FBR

WHEREAS, Banco Industrial de Venezuela, C.A., Caracas, Venezuela (the “Bank’?, a
foreign bank as defined in section 3101(7) ofthe International Banking Act (12 U.S.C. 3101(7)),
the New York agency of the Bank, and the Miami agency of the Bank (the “Miami Agency”)
(collectively, the “Agencies”)are taking steps to address deficiencies relating to management,
compliance, and operational controls ;
WHEREAS, it is the common goal of the Bank, the Agencies, the Federal Reserve Bank
of Atlanta (the “Atlanta Reserve Bank”), the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “New
York Reserve Bank”) (collectively, the “Reserve Banks”), the New York State Banking
Department (the “Department”), and the State off Florida Office of Financial Regulation (“OFR”;
together with the Reserve Banks and the Department, the “Banking Supervisors’? to ensure that
the Bank and the Agencies fully address all deficiencies in their U S . operations;
WHEREAS, on ,&;!t’

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”r,2005, the board of directors of the Bank, at a duly

constituted meeting, adopted a resolution authorizing and directing

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d?u/j/bto enter into

this Written Agreement (the “Agreement”) on behalf of the Bank and the Agencies, respectively,
and consenting to compliance by the Bank, the Agencies, and their institutionaffiliated parties,
as defined in sections 3(u) and 8(b)(4) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended (the
“FDI Act”) (12 U.S.C. 1813(u) and 1818(b)(4)), with each and everyapplicable provision of this
Agreement; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the Bank, the Agencies, and the Banking Supervisors herebyagree
as follows:

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Primary Contact

I.

Within 10 days of this Agreement, the Bank shall designate a senior officer in the

United States who is responsible for monitoring compliance withthe requirements of this
Agreement, including submissionsof the written policies, procedures, program, and engagement
letter that are set forth in this Agreement. The oficer shall serve as the primary contact for the
Banking Supervisors ffor purposes of this Agreement
Management Review

2.

(a)

Within 10 days of this Agreement, the Bank shall retain an independent

consultant acceptable to the Banking Supervisors to conduct a review of the h c t i o n s and
performance of the Agencies’ officers and the staffing needs of the Agencies required to ensure
an effective control environment, and to prepare a written report of findings and
recommendations. The primary purpose of the management review shall be to aid in the
development of an effective management oversight structure and control environmentthat is
suitable to the Agencies’ needs and that assures that the Agencies are adequately staffed by
qualified and trained personncl, particularly in tlhe area of compliance. The management review
shall, at a minimum, address, consider, and include:
(i)

An assessment of the effectiveness of the control infrastructure,
corporate governance and organizational structure of each agency,
including reporting lines, duties performed by each officer and
employee, and the ability of that person to perform competently his
or her assigned duties; and

(ii)

a plan to recruit, hire, or appoint additional or replacement
personnel with the requisite ability, experience, and other
qualifications required to competently perform their assigned
duties, and to review the compensation necessary to attract and
retain qualified compliancepersonnel

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(b)

Within 10 days of the engagement of the independent consultant, but prior

to the commencement of the management review, the Bank shall submit to the Banking
Supervisorsfor approval an engagement letter that delineates: (i) the scope of the management
review; (ii) the date of submission of the independent consultant’s report, no later than 45 days
after the engagement of the independent consultant ; and (iii) the proposed resources from the

Bank to be dedicated to the magement review
(c)

The Bank shall forward a copy of the independent consultant’s report to

the Banking Supervisors within 5 days of its receipt.
(d)

Within 30 days after receipt of the independent consultant’s report, the

Bank shall submit a written action plan to the Banking Supervisors that filly addresses the
findings and recommendations in the independent consultant’s report and describes the specific
actions that the Bank’s board of directors proposes to take in order to strengthen the Agencies’
management.

Head Office Oversight

3.

Within 60 days of this Agreement, the Bank shall submit to the Banking

Supervisorsa written plan to strengthen oversight of the managment and operations of the
Agencies. The plan shall, at a minimum, address, consider, and include:

(a)

The actions that the Bank’s head office management will take to
improve the Agencies’ condition to a satisfactory level and
maintain effective control over and supervision of the Agencies’
senior management, operations, and activities, including obtaining
information sufficient to assess management’s compliance with
applicable written plans, policies, procedures, and programs;

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the responsibility of the Bank’s head office management to ensure
that the Agencies’ policies and procedures are tailored to their
operations and adequdtely address their activities;

(c)

a requirement that the Bank’s head office management approve, at
least annually, all of the Agencies’ policies and procedures,
including subsequent amendments;

(d)

the responsibility of the Bank‘s head office management to ensure
that the Agencies’ operations are conducted in a safe and sound
manner by enforcing adherence to prudent policies and procedures
and by overseeing activities of the Agencies through participation
in regularly scheduled executive and management committee
meetings; and

(e)

the responsibility of the Bank’s head office mamgement to
monitor exceptions to approved policies and procedures.

Internal Audit

4.

Within 60 days of this Agreement, the Bank and the Agencies shall jointly submit

to the Banking Supervisorsacceptable enhanced written internal audit policies and procedures
that shall, at a minimum, address, consider, and include:
Procedures for the periodic assessment, at least annually, of the
adequacy of internal controls and compliance with the Agencies’
policies and procedures and with applicable laws and regulations
for each audit area;
a formal written audit policy designed to provide appropriate and
consistent guidance for the internal audit function;
establishment of an audit schedule, including guidelines and the
designation of resources, to ensure that internal audits are
completed as scheduled and that audits are performed in all areas
that have been designated as warranting attention;
the timely issuance of audit reports, supported by well-documented
workpapers;
procedures for management to review audit reports quarterly,
respond in writing to criticisms in the audit report, and implement
and monitor corrective actions that are responsive to the audit
findings; and
the submission of the quarterly audit reports and management
responses to the Bank‘s audit committee.

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Credit Risk Management
5.

(a)

Within 30 days of this Agreement, the Bank and the Miami Agency shall

jointly take appropriate action to address the asset quality concerns identified in the examination
of the Miami Agencythat was concluded on June 14,2004. At a minimum, the Miami Agency
shall:

(b)

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Conduct a detailed analysis ofall assets criticized internally or by
examiners, as well as assets criticized in future internalor
supervisoryreviews, with such analysis taking into account, at a
minimum, the borrower’s current and stabilized cash flow,
earnings and debt service capacity, financial performance, net
worth, guarantees, future prospects, and other factors relevant to
the borrower’s ability to service and retire its debt; and

(ii)

with respect to each credit analyzed pursuant to paragraph 5(a)(i),
prepare and implement a specific action plaq including specific
timeframes, to collect, charge-ofc or strengthen the criticized
assets.

Within 30 days of the endl of the next calendar quarter following this

Agreement, and within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter thereafter, the Bank and the
Miami Agency shall jointly submit a written progress report to the Banking Supervisors,which
shall include:
(0

A detailed analysis of all assets criticized internally or by
examiners during a calendar quarter;

(ii)

a specific action plan, including specific timeframes, to collect,
chargc-off, or strengthen the criticized assets referenced in
paragraph 5(b)(i); and

(iii)

reviews of the loan portfolio and credit risk grades to all loans
reviewed (the results of such reviews shall be retained for
subsequent supervisory reviews).

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Compliance Program

6.

The Bank and the Agencies shall jointly submit to the Banking Supervisors an

acceptable written compliance program designed to ensure compliance with all applicable
federal and state laws, regulations, and supervisory requirements. The program shall, at a
minimum, address, consider, and include:
(a)

The appointment of senior compliance staff responsible for
coordinating and monitoring compliance at the Agencies;

(h)

comprehensive compliance policies and procedures;

(c)

a process for resolving or escalating outstanding issues;

(d)

work paper documentation standards; and

(e)

a compliance training program for staff.

The Bank and the Agencies intend to use the independent consultant referred to in paragraph 2 of
this Agreement to assist the Bank and the Agencies in revising its current compliance program in

accordance with the requirements of this paragraph. The Bank and the Agencies shall submit the
compliance program required by this paragraph within 30 days after receipt of the independent
consultant's report referred,to in paragraph 2 of this Agreement.
Compliance with Agreement
7.

Within 10 calendar days after the end of each month following the date of this

Agreement, the Bank and the Agencies shalljointly submit to the Banking Supervisors written
progress reports detailing the form and manner of all actions taken to secure compliance with
this Agreement and the results thereof. Such reports shall simultaneously be submitted to the
Bank's board of directors for approval. Should the board of directors revise or disapprove such
reports, the Bank and the Agencies shall notify the Banking Supervisors immediately. Such
reports may be discontinued when the corrections required by this Agreement have been

accomplished and the Banking Supervisorshave, in writing, released the Bank and the Agencies
from making further reports

Approval of Policies, Procedures, and Programs
8.

The written policies, procedures, prograq and engagement letter required by

paragraphs 2(b), 4, and 6 of this Agreement shall be submitted to the Banking Supervisorsfor
review and approval. Acceptable policies and procedures, and an acceptable program and
engagement letter shall be submitted within the time periods set forth in tbk Agreement. The
Bank and the Agencies shall adopt the approved policies, procedures, program, and engagement
letter within 10 days of approval by the Banking Supervisors and then shall fully comply with
them. During the terrn of this Agreement, the approved policies, procedures, prograq and
engagement letter shall not be amended or rescinded without the prior written approval of the
Banking Supervisors
Communications
9.

All communicationsregarding this Agreement shall be sent to:
(a)

Mr. Robert A. O’Sullivan
Senior Vice President
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
33 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10045

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Mr. Robert Schenck
Vice President
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
1000 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309-4470

(c)

Mr. David S. Fredsall
Acting Deputy Superintendent of Banks
Foreign and Wholesale Banks Division
State of New York Banking Department
One State Street
New York, NY 10004

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Ms. Linda B. Chanty
Director
Office of Financial Regulation
200 E. Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0371
Mr. Luis Quiaro
President
Banco Industrial de Venezuela, C.A.
Tercera Avenida de Las Delicias de Sabam Grande
Cmce con Avenida Francisco Solano
Torre Financiera, Piso 18
Caracas, Venezuela

(4
900 Third Avenue
14" Floor
New York, NY 10022
(g)

Ms. Sandra Mallot
General Manager
Banco Industrial de Venezuela, C.A.
1101 Brickell Avenue
Miami, FL 33131

Miscellaneous
10.

The Written Agreement among the Bank, Miami Agency, and Atlanta Reserve

Bank that was executed on December 12, 2000 is terminated.
11.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Banking

Supervisors may, in their sole discretion, grant written extensions of time to the Bank and the
Agencies to comply with any provision of this Agreement.
12.

The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the Bank, the Agencies,

and their institutionaffiliated parties, in their capacities as such, and their successors and assigns.
13.

Each provision of this Agreement shall remain effective and enforceable until

stayed, modified, terminated or suspended in writing by the Banking Supervisors.

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14.

The provisions of this Agreement shall not bar, estop, or otherwise prevent the

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Board of Governors”), the Banking
Supervisors,or any other federal or state agency from taking any other action affecting the Bank,
the Agencies, or any of their current or former institutiomaffliated parties and their successors

and assigns.
15.

This Agreement is a “written agreement” for the purposes of, and is enforceable

by the Board of Governors as an order issued under, section 8 of the FDI Act (12 U.S.C. 1818).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of

Banco Industrial de Venezuela. C.A

Mr. Luis Quiaro
President
Banco Industrial de Venezuela, C.A
Miami Agency

By:
Ms. Sandra Mallot
General Manager
Banco Industrial de Venezuela, C.A
New York Agency

By:

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Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Bank of New Y

Senior Vice President
New York State Banking Department

By:

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s. Diana L. Taylor
Superintendent of Banks

State of Florida Office of Financial
Regulation

By:

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Ms. Linda B. Charity
Director